June 2025. Volume 21. Number 2

Is newborn screening for Vitamin B12 deficiency really useful?

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Mütze U, Gleich F, Haas D, Urschitz MS, Röschinger W, Janzen N, et al. Vitamin B12 Deficiency Newborn Screening. Pediatrics. 2024;154(2):e2023064809.

Reviewers: Suárez Cabezas S1, Pérez-Moneo Agapito B2.
1Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Madrid. España.
2Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Universidad Complutense. Madrid. España.
Correspondence: Sara Suárez Cabezas. Email: sara.scabezas@gmail.com
Reception date: 21/05/2025
Acceptance date: 30/05/2025
Publication date: 11/06/2025

Abstract

Authors' conclusions: neonatal screening for vitamin B12 deficiency reduces the risk of developing symptoms in the first year of life by a factor of 4 compared to unscreened populations.

Reviewers' commentary: currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend universal neonatal screening for vitamin B12 deficiency. While early detection is crucial to preventing permanent sequelae, precise data on false-positive and false-negative rates are lacking. Given the high efficacy of treatment, early case detection based on clinical suspicion may be a sufficient alternative. Furthermore, since vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms and complications as early as pregnancy, prenatal screening could be a more appropriate strategy.

How to cite this article

Suárez Cabezas S, Pérez Moneo B. ¿Es realmente útil el cribado neonatal del déficit de vitamina B12? Evid Pediatr. 2025;21:21.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Mütze U, Gleich F, Haas D, Urschitz MS, Röschinger W, Janzen N, et al. Vitamin B12 Deficiency Newborn Screening. Pediatrics. 2024;154(2):e2023064809.

Reviewers: Suárez Cabezas S1, Pérez-Moneo Agapito B2.
1Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Madrid. España.
2Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor. Universidad Complutense. Madrid. España.
Correspondence: Sara Suárez Cabezas. Email: sara.scabezas@gmail.com
Reception date: 21/05/2025
Acceptance date: 30/05/2025
Publication date: 11/06/2025

How to cite this article

Suárez Cabezas S, Pérez Moneo B. ¿Es realmente útil el cribado neonatal del déficit de vitamina B12? Evid Pediatr. 2025;21:21.

11/06/2025

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